JAMMU, Jun 13: Senior BJP leader and former Sarpanch, Adv. Devraj Sharma, has urged the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the Agriculture Production Department to ensure adequate availability of fertilizers across the Union Territory, with special focus on the agriculturally significant districts of the Jammu region, in view of the ongoing paddy cultivation season.Highlighting the importance of timely agricultural inputs, Sharma said that farmers across Jammu, particularly in the fertile Basmati-growing belt of R.S. Pura, Suchetgarh, Bishnah, Arnia and adjoining areas, have begun paddy transplantation activities and require uninterrupted access to fertilizers to ensure healthy crop growth and optimum yields.
He observed that agriculture continues to be the backbone of the rural economy in Jammu and Kashmir and any shortage of fertilizers during the peak sowing and transplantation period could severely affect agricultural productivity, farmers’ income and food security.”Jammu region is known across the country for producing world-renowned Basmati rice, which has earned a distinct identity in domestic as well as international markets. Farmers should not be made to suffer because of shortages, distribution bottlenecks or administrative lapses during this crucial period,” Sharma said.
The senior BJP leader emphasized that fertilizers play a pivotal role in modern agriculture and are indispensable for achieving higher productivity and maintaining the superior quality of crops. He said that ensuring adequate stocks at government outlets, cooperative societies and authorized fertilizer dealers must be treated as a priority by the administration.Adv. Sharma called upon the concerned departments to continuously monitor stock positions and streamline the supply chain so that fertilizers remain readily available in every farming area of the Union Territory. He stressed that farmers should be able to obtain fertilizers without unnecessary delays, long queues or repeated visits to distribution centres.
Expressing concern over the possibility of hoarding and black-marketing, Sharma demanded strict enforcement measures against unscrupulous elements seeking to exploit farmers during the cultivation season.”Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or sell fertilizers above the prescribed rates must be dealt with firmly. Farmers are already facing numerous challenges, and they should not become victims of profiteering by vested interests. The administration must ensure that every bag of fertilizer reaches genuine farmers at the approved price,” he asserted.
He further urged district administrations and agriculture authorities to conduct regular inspections of fertilizer outlets, maintain transparency in distribution and establish an effective grievance redressal mechanism to address complaints promptly.Adv. Sharma said that the prosperity of farmers is directly linked to the economic growth of Jammu and Kashmir. He noted that a successful paddy season would not only strengthen the rural economy but also help preserve the rich legacy of Jammu’s globally acclaimed Basmati cultivation, which has become a symbol of the region’s agricultural excellence.
Reiterating his commitment to safeguarding farmers’ interests, Sharma appealed to the government to take proactive measures to ensure sufficient fertilizer availability throughout the cultivation season and prevent any disruption to farming activities.”Farmers are the backbone of our economy and the custodians of our agricultural heritage. Ensuring timely availability of fertilizers is not merely an administrative responsibility but a commitment towards strengthening rural livelihoods, boosting agricultural production and securing the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s farming community,” he added.